Maryland
Gaithersburg Winter Lights Festival
11950 Clopper Rd
Gaithersburg, MD 20878
November 27, 2020 - December 31, 2020 6:00 - 9:00 pm (Closed December 25th)
The City of Gaithersburg celebrates its 25th spectacular season of the Winter Lights Festival. This is a fun little drive for the whole family. The 3.5 mile drive incorporates 450 illuminated displays and takes you past an enchanted setting of castles, bears, reindeer and other holiday characters.
Merriweather Symphony of Lights Drive Through, Columbia
10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy
Columbia, MD 21044
November 27, 2020 - January 2, 2021
For 25 years, the Symphony of Lights has been a long standing tradition in Howard County enjoyed by many. This display is set in historic Merriweather Post Pavilion and is made up of more than 300,000 bulbs. This year the exhibit is adding more lights than usual (including a 150 foot screen), and is sure to guarantee a night to remember!
Sailing Through Winter Solstice, Frederick
Carroll Creek Linear Park
50 S. Market St.
Frederick, MD 21701
November 21, 2020 - February 2021
Every year, boats set sail along the Creek, adorned with lights to transform the dark of winter into light. The fleet has grown from one boat the first year to about 25 boats in 2020. You can even vote for your favorite boat - $1.00 per vote. All proceeds will go to Color on the Creek and other participating Frederick County based Charities.
700 Block of 34th Street (Between Chestnut and Keswick Road)
Baltimore, MD 21211
November 24, 2020 - January 1, 2021
This elaborate light display incorporates residents on both sides and is sure not to be missed. Started in 1947, the same year as the iconic Movie, this location attracts visitors from all over the area.
1 Safari Pl
Baltimore, MD 21217
November 20, 2020 - January 3, 2021
Enjoy the glowing lights from the comfort of your own car! This exhibit includes over 100,000 LED lights that highlight some of the favorites of the zoo. Saturdays are an especially fun day at the Zoo since you can walk the exhibit and enjoy snacks and hot chocolate. Don’t miss the free carousel rides! (weather permitting).
Watkins Regional Park
301 Watkins Park Drive
Upper Marlboro, MD 20774
November 27, 2020 - January 1, 2021
Enjoy this spectacular drive-through event featuring more than 2.5 million lights throughout the park and a 54-foot LED musical tree!
Lights on the Bay at Sandy Point State Park, Annapolis
1100 E College Pkwy
Annapolis, MD 21409
November 20, 2020 - January 2, 2021
Take a drive out to Sandy Point State Park this holiday season and visit the more than 60 animated and stationary displays illuminating the roadway. For the past decade, this scenic drive has become a holiday favorite tradition among families. You will not want to miss it!
Holiday Magic Light Show at Six Flags
13710 Central Ave
Bowie, MD 20721
November 21, 2020 - January 3rd, 2021
What better way to celebrate the season than sharing joy and laughter and making memories with your family at an amusement park that has been decked out in holiday lights and décor! This winter spectacular will make your holiday shine with more than a million glittering lights, holiday entertainment, delicious seasonal treats, visits with Santa and theme park rides.
Story of Life at New Life Church
5913 Jefferson Pike
Frederick, Maryland 21703
December 18 and 19th, 2020, 5:00 - 9:00 PM
New Life Church presents Story of Light: A Drive-Thru Christmas Experience happening Friday & Saturday, December 18th & 19th from 5-9 pm! This event is perfect for families of all ages. A vital part of this experience is listening and following along with our story through our app which you can download here:
htps://www.inewlife.church/stay-connected/see-whats-happening-this-christmas-at-new-life
Admission is free but they would love to give back to the community! There will be a Donation Station to encourage those who can to bring non-perishable foods which they will then donate to the Frederick Food Bank.
Washington D.C.
3222 M St NW
Washington DC 20007
December 4, 2020 - January 10, 2021
This stroll through DC’s most historic neighborhood will certainly make you light up as you pass by unique, illuminated artworks. Georgetown GLOW has proven to be such a hit that it’s now a month-long celebration. A group of artists, from locally renowned to internationally celebrated, will display works in outdoor spaces throughout the neighborhood. Afterwards, wander through a winter wonderland at The Washington Harbour, one of our favorite places to ice skate in the District.
825 10th St NW
Washington, DC 20001
November - January, 2021
Take in holiday shopping while also gazing at the intricate window displays of lights. Two massive reindeers flank the entrance along with the display of tons of string lights across the arcade. Here the window displays are just as good as the shopping inside.
Zoo Lights Express - ZooLights will not be held on-site at the Zoo this year. Instead, the 24-foot ZooLights Express truck, festively decorated with light displays and featuring “Panda Claws,” will hit the road Nov. 27 to Dec. 19 and visit one Washington, D.C., ward each Friday and Saturday night from 6-8 p.m. Schedule found on the website.
Lighting of the National Menorah - Thursday, December 10, 2020 at 4pm. Tickets required. Space is limited due to COVID restrictions.
White House Ellipse
1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW,
Washington, DC 20500
National Tree Lighting Ceremony - The ceremony will be virtual only this year on December 3, 2020 at www.thenationaltree.org but the National Tree will be lit every evening in December for those wishing to view it in person at President's Park. You will also be able to view the 56 trees representing every U.S. state, territory and the District of Columbia, decorated with ornaments designed by students from across the country.
US Capitol Christmas Tree - This year's tree will go aglow in DC on Dec. 2. You can visit the tree on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. Follow the tree’s Facebook and Twitter.
Virginia
Winter Walk of Lights - Meadowlark Botanical Gardens
9750 Meadowlark Gardens Ct
Vienna, VA 22182
November 11, 2020 - January 3, 2021
Winter Walk of Lights is self-guided with a designated, one-way walking asphalt trail. Guests may move along the pathways at their own pace.
7700 Bull Run Dr
Centreville, VA 20121
Enjoy 2.5 miles illuminated by holiday light displays. Drive the festival route from the comfort of your car; turn off your headlights and just follow the magical glow.
Ice & Lights The Winter Village at Cameron Run
Cameron Run Regional Park
4001 Eisenhower Avenue
Alexandria, VA 22304
Choose from general village admission or village admission plus ice skating admission. The number of tickets available has been greatly reduced to comply with VA orders around COVID. Stroll the village, enjoy the lights, concessions and numerous beautiful photo ops. Heater poles and sanitation stations will be found throughout the village.
Virtual
Virtual Tour of the Holiday Lights Experiences Throughout the World
December 10th from 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
From the comfort of your own home, you can still experience the holiday lights from New York to Sydney, Los Angeles to Paris, DC to Rome and more! These global light displays have been a huge part of the holiday celebrations for centuries.
Know of other worthwhile light displays? Email me at nicolec@gmail.com. We'd love to expand our list! Even if the lights are further than usual - this year I'd go anywhere for some safe, festive, holiday displays!
